Sending Money To Vienna, Austria: A Quick Guide

There are several ways to send money to Vienna, Austria. You can use a bank transfer, a specialist money transfer service, an e-wallet, or visit a physical money remittance store.

Some of the most popular money transfer services include Wise, Western Union, CurrencyFair, and Remitly. These services offer different benefits, such as low fees, fast transfers, and excellent exchange rates.

To send money to Vienna, Austria, you will typically need to create an account with your chosen service, verify your identity, add funds to your account, and provide the recipient's details.

Online money transfer services

Western Union

Western Union is a well-known and widely used money transfer service. With Western Union, you can send money online or through their mobile app, which is available for iOS and Android devices. They offer secure and reliable transfers, encrypting your transactions and committing to keeping your data secure. Western Union allows you to send money from your bank account, credit card, or debit card. The recipient can receive the money in their bank account, mobile wallet, or as cash at an agent location. Western Union has been in the money transfer business since 1851 and is trusted by millions of customers worldwide.

Xoom, a PayPal Service

Xoom is a fast and secure way to send money to Austria. It is owned by PayPal, so if you already have a PayPal account, you can easily log in and start transferring money. Xoom offers cash pickup at various locations throughout Austria, including Ria. You can also send money directly to Austrian bank accounts, including Erste Bank and Bank Austria (Unicredit). Their website states that money sent via cash pickup is typically available in minutes, while bank deposits usually take around 3.5 hours if the transaction is created by 16:00 GMT+1. Xoom guarantees that your money will be received or they will refund your payment in full.

Wise (formerly TransferWise)

Wise provides fast, low-cost, and secure online money transfers from the UK to Austria. They offer a transparent pricing model with a small, flat fee and a percentage of the amount converted. Wise uses the real 'inter-bank' exchange rate, avoiding the sneaky bank surcharges and hidden charges that are common with other providers. You can pay for your transfer using a bank transfer, Swift, or your debit or credit card. Wise also supports Apple Pay and Google Pay for added convenience. They are highly rated on Trustpilot, with a score of 4.3 out of 5 from over 226,000 reviews.

Remitly

Remitly is another popular option for sending money to Austria. They offer competitive exchange rates and low fees, especially for new customers. With Remitly, you can send money online or through their mobile app. The recipient can receive the funds through various options, including cash pickup or bank transfer. Remitly is also rated highly on Trustpilot, with a score of 4.6 out of 5, indicating excellent service.

XE

XE is a trusted international money transfer service that allows you to send money online or through their mobile app. They offer competitive exchange rates and fees for transfers to over 60 countries. You can pay for your transfers using a bank transfer or card. XE is also rated Excellent on Trustpilot, with a score of 4.3 out of 5.

When choosing an online money transfer service, be sure to compare the fees, exchange rates, transfer speeds, security measures, and customer reviews to find the best option for your specific needs.

Bank transfers

If you are sending money to someone with a bank account in Vienna, Austria, you will need to provide the recipient's IBAN (International Bank Account Number) and BIC (Business Identifier Code). The BIC is similar to a sort code.

If you are sending money from a UK bank account, you can use a service like Wise (formerly TransferWise). Wise allows you to send money from your online banking and uses the 'inter-bank' rate for the exchange rate. Wise also offers a low, flat fee of £0.59 + 0.33% of the amount that's converted.

Another option is Western Union, which allows you to transfer money directly from your bank account to the recipient's. Western Union has a profile/registration option, which is free to create, and allows you to save recipient details for repeat transfers.

If you are sending money from an Austrian bank account, you can make cashless payments in euros to any account covered by the SEPA system, which includes all EU member states, as well as EEA members Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and non-EEA countries Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Vatican City State.

Credit or debit card payments

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at major retailers, restaurants, stores, and hotels in Austria. The most common card providers, such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, are all accepted. However, it is worth noting that credit cards are not as popular in Vienna and Austria as in some other countries, and many smaller shops, restaurants, and cafes may only accept cash. Therefore, it is advisable to carry cash with you, especially when visiting local businesses outside of tourist hotspots.

When using your credit or debit card in Austria, always choose to be charged in the local currency, which is the euro. While ATMs in Austria rarely charge on-site withdrawal fees, you may encounter a service called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) when making card purchases or withdrawing money from an ATM. DCC will offer to charge you in your home currency, which may seem convenient, but you will likely be marked up in price for this service. Your home bank will give you a better exchange rate if you choose to be charged in euros.

Before travelling to Austria, remember to inform your bank or card issuer that you will be going abroad. This will prevent your card from being locked due to suspicious activity. Also, ensure that your credit or debit card has a 4-digit PIN, as this is required to make card payments and withdraw cash from ATMs in Austria.

Finally, be aware of the fees charged for using your credit or debit card in Austria. Credit card providers may charge interest on cash withdrawals, so check with your provider before travelling. Additionally, some Austrian banks may charge a fee for withdrawing cash with a foreign credit card. These fees can be quite high, so check your credit card contract for more information.

Cash pickup

Sending money to Vienna, Austria for cash pickup can be done through several online money transfer services. Here are some options:

Western Union

Western Union offers a quick, easy, and reliable way to send money to over 200 countries and territories worldwide, including Austria. You can transfer money online, through the Western Union app, or in person at an agent location.

Steps to send money through Western Union:

• Log in to your Western Union profile or register for a free account if you don't have one.
• Start the money transfer process by clicking 'Send Now'.
• Enter 'Austria' as the destination and the amount you wish to send.
• Choose 'Cash' as the receive method and select your preferred payment method (bank transfer, credit/debit card, or cash at an agent location).
• Enter the recipient's name and address.
• Complete the transfer by providing payment and recipient details.
• You will receive a confirmation email with a Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN). Share this number ONLY with the recipient for cash pickup.

Steps to receive money through Western Union:

• The recipient will need the sender's name, the country from which the money was sent, the approximate amount sent, and the MTCN.
• They will also need to bring a valid government-issued ID. The following documents are accepted in Austria:

• Passport
• Government-issued ID card
• Permanent Residence Card

They can then visit any Western Union agent location in Austria to pick up the cash.

Xoom, a PayPal Service

Xoom is a PayPal service that allows you to send money quickly and securely to Austria. With Xoom, you can send money for cash pickup at convenient locations throughout the country, typically available in minutes.

Steps to send money through Xoom:

• Log in with your PayPal credentials or create a Xoom account if you don't have one.
• Enter the amount you wish to send.
• Provide the recipient's name, address, and phone number.
• Select a convenient location for cash pickup, such as Ria.
• Complete the transfer by paying with PayPal, bank account, credit card, or debit card.

Ria Money Transfer

Ria Money Transfer offers a fast and safe way to send money to Austria, with over 100 locations near your recipient in the country. You can choose between cash pickup or bank deposit as the delivery method.

Steps to send money through Ria:

• Visit the Ria website or use the Ria Mobile app.
• Enter your country and language.
• Follow the instructions to set up and complete your transfer.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find detailed information on the cash pickup process for recipients in Austria. However, you can contact Ria Money Transfer directly or visit their website for more information.

Money transfer apps

Wise

Wise, formerly known as TransferWise, is a highly-rated and trusted money transfer app, serving over 10 million customers. It offers fast, low-cost, and secure online money transfers from the UK to Austria. Wise provides transparent fees, charging a small, flat fee of £0.59 + 0.33% of the amount converted, with the total cost shown upfront. Wise also uses the real mid-market exchange rate with no markups, helping you save money. Transfers are secure, with 2-factor authentication and round-the-clock anti-fraud measures.

Western Union

Western Union is a well-known and widely used money transfer service, offering an easy-to-use app for sending money to Austria. With Western Union, you can send money from your debit or credit card, or directly from your bank account. The app provides flexible options for the recipient to receive money, including bank accounts, mobile wallets, or cash pickup at agent locations. Western Union has a large global network, serving over 200 countries and territories.

Xoom (A PayPal Service)

Xoom is a money transfer service owned by PayPal, allowing you to send money to Austria directly from your PayPal account. Xoom offers fast and secure transactions, typically delivering funds within minutes for cash pickup at various locations in Austria, and within 3.5 hours for bank deposits to all major banks in the country. Xoom provides peace of mind with its money-back guarantee, ensuring that your money will be received or your payment will be refunded in full.

Revolut

Revolut is a top choice for sending money to Austria, known for its low fees and competitive exchange rates. It appeared in 47.1% of searches as the cheapest option for bank transfers to Austria, with no transfer fees and a minimal markup on the Euro exchange rate. Revolut integrates seamlessly with mobile apps and digital wallets, making it a convenient choice for sending money to Austria.

Remitly

Remitly is a highly-rated money transfer app, especially for transfers to cash pickup locations. It offers competitive fees and exchange rates, as well as fast transfer speeds. Remitly is a reliable option for sending money to Austria, ensuring that your transactions are secure and your funds are protected.

Frequently asked questions